Billiards Buzz - September 2017

an

publication

vol.1, Issue September 2017

LION Holds Off SVB For US Open 8-Ball Title

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A message from the Editor

FROM THE

Volume 1, Issue #12 5115 N Dysart Rd #202-123 Litchfield Park, Az 85392 Ph: 678-919-7665 info@azbilliards.com

Brought to you by the team at AzBilliards.com CONTRIBUTORS: Skip Maloney Karen Corr Chris Stankovich Anthony Beeler Melinda Bailey Jerry Briesath Matchroom Sport Kristin Butterfield Erwin Dionisio Karl Kantrowitz Phil Capelle AtLarge Billiard Congress of America Valerie Franiel Desiree Dominguez Florian Kohler COVER PHOTO: JP Parmentier GRAPHICS AND LAYOUT: Nebojsa Dolovacki Š 2017, The Billiards Buzz is an online only monthly publication.

It is published on or around the 30th of each month. All opinions & information expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers or advertisers and do not necessarily reflect those of the AzBilliards. All persons interested in submitting articles and material of interest are invited to do so. Submission of such articles constitutes permission for AzBilliards to use these articles in this publication or online on AzBilliards. com. Article submission or advertisers queries can be sent to us at info@azbilliards.com

Head Rail

MIKE HOWERTON

Wow, it is September already? As I am writing this, Jerry and I just returned from Turning Stone (another great tournament put on by Mike Zuglan), the final US Mosconi Cup point events are complete and the US Open is coming right up. It looks like a neck and neck battle between Shane and Jayson for player of the year this year.

W

hile we don't have coverage of Turning Stone in this issue, look for a detailed report and photos from the event in the October issue.

What we do have this month is coverage of Alex Pagulayan and Shane Van Boening's wins in Vegas, as well as the Billiards Education Foundation's Junior National Championships. We also have coverage of Karen Corr's NAPT title win and the American Poolplayers Association's National Championships's. Add to that, our usual array of great columnists and you have another issue full of content for your billiards reading.

I do want to mention this month that I inadverdently failed to credit Karl Kantrowitz for the photos from the World Pool Series event. Sorry Karl, that was my mistake.

Until next month...

Mike

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 3

Contents 22 COVER FEATURE:

Van Boening wins third US Open 10-Ball title, denied third US Open 8-Ball title by The Lion Skip Maloney

September 2017 vol.1, Issue 13

7 Frustrated with Your Play? Get Away for a Day (or two) Dr. Christopher Stankovich

9 The Truth Will Set You Free Anthony Beeler

11 Using the bridge Karen Corr

18 How Much English Is Enough Jerry Briesath

22 Corr goes undefeated to capture second of three Division I NAPT titles Skip Maloney

36 Chinakhov’s great season continues 37 Ruijsink conducts opening boot camp for Team USA hopefuls

14 Dennis Hatch Melinda Bailey

38 Defining ‘laid back,’ Corey Deuel convenes School of Pool Skip Maloney

40 The Buzz Spotlight AZB Staff

46 Best Music To Pump You Up For A Match 24 APA Hosts the Ultimate Pool Party in Vegas

28 29th Annual BEF Junior Nationals Rolls Ahead in Las Vegas

Kristin Butterfield

50 Upcoming Tournaments 54 Tourney Results Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 5

Mind of Steel

Frustrated with Your Play? Get Away for a Day (or two) Dr. CHRISTOPHER STANKOVICH www.drstankovich.com

Sometimes in life we find ourselves in the middle of a terrible slump where we see the quality of our play decline, or we simply become temporarily bored and disinterested and lose our focus and motivation. Some might call this burnout, and while these slumps are inevitable, they don't need to be catastrophic.

P

ool players often put in long hours, and over time there is risk of “going through the motions,” especially if you are not playing better competition or signing up for challenging tournaments. Sadly, it is during these times where our focus widens, our motivation declines, and our level of success decreases as a result. The good news, however, is that these moments of stagnant play can be quickly stopped and actually improved upon by simply taking a short break.

Many athletes fear taking time off because they think they will lose all the skills and abilities they have worked hard to develop, but psychology research shows us this really isn’t the case. In fact, the theory of spontaneous recovery is loosely defined as the re-discovery of previously learned responses even though they haven’t been used in awhile.

Using a practical example, pool players usually experience a learning curve when first tasked with developing the skills needed to bank balls, make combinations, and finely cut

6 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

balls. When first learning how to do these things the player must take time to learn where to hit the ball, the amount of speed to use, and other important aspects relating to the table and setting up for the next shot. The good news is that once these skills

are learned, they stay with you (even when you seriously question yourself where they went after a missed shot!).

What does this mean to a slumping, bored pool player who needs a break but is afraid of losing all the skills he has learned? It means that you can (and should) take short breaks in order to clear your head, and you shouldn’t worry that your skills will leave you (at worst you will only need a short amount of time to re-find your stroke).

Interestingly, if you don’t take breaks from time to time you actually run a greater risk of playing sloppy, adjusting to bad habits, and seeing your game decline over time as a result.

Keep your head on straight and win more games by avoiding burnout and catching your breath once in awhile – you’ll be happy you did in the long run.

For more help on developing mental toughness for pool please visit www. drstankovich.com

Dr. Chris Stankovich (“The Sports Doc) is a national expert in the field of sport & performance psychology and has been featured on ESPN for his work with elite athletes. His #1 best selling pool video “Mind of Steel: Mental Toughness for Pool Success” has been used by players around the world to improve focus and confidence, eliminate anxiety, and win more games. You can learn more about Dr. Stankovich and “Mind of Steel” by visiting drstankovich.com

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Anthony Beeler

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

ANTHONY BEELER

The ability to separate what you are seeing and thinking about is a powerful skill for pool players!

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he good news is that your perception and attention span are two separate brain functions.

Pool players who say they can’t visualize often let their sight cloud their visualization, especially when fixating on the shot that is in front of them. If you think about scratching in the side pocket or getting hooked behind a cluster as you stare at the cue ball you ARE visualizing and you know where the cue ball often goes as a result. So it’s not an inability to visualize which is the problem but it is what you visualize!

the same mental skill you can be using when trying to pocket a ball on the pool table. If you can daydream you can play pool. The critical difference being that you must direct your day dream to shoot a pool shot, not leave it to chance, then you will be focusing

your attention. This mental skill is not a function of the eyes but your brain.

Pool is a challenging game. We have to look back and forth from the cue ball to the object ball in order to execute a shot.

Your eyes and attention span are not bound together within your brain.

If you’ve ever watched a movie and found yourself daydreaming, you’ll recognize this separation. Your eyes go quiet and your mind wanders.

What you may perceive at the time as your inability to focus on the screen in front of you actually leverages exactly

POOL PLAYERS HAVE TO LOOK AT THE CUE BALL BUT MAINTAIN THEIR ATTENTION ON THE OBJECT BALL. 8 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

Photo courtesy Samantha Patton

It’s important to know that your ability to learn how and when to focus your attention is not a result of your mechanical skills but your ability to concentrate.

Anthony Beeler Pool players have to look at the cue ball but maintain their attention on the object ball. Pool players also unwittingly switch their focus to the cue, body, stroke, or potential pitfalls that may interfere with successful execution of the shot. The target is nowhere to be seen. There is little point visualizing your shot before you get down to shoot it if you are thinking about something else while executing it.

It is not a coincidence that players complain of inconsistency, but how many of them actually take the time to get trained with this type of psychological skill? From our very first pool lessons on grip, alignment, stance and posture our attention is on everything but the target. It is actually possible to spend a number of years believing your technique is never good enough.

So where do you choose to focus your attention when shooting a shot? How do you achieve this focus consistently? Maybe, you think both the cue ball and object ball is the target or that it’s important to be thinking about your stroke?

Is this working for you? If you don’t have a clear answer to these questions, take the time to learn how to focus your attention in the right place, at the right time consistently when learning, practicing and playing.

I think you will discover that your pool stroke isn’t as bad as you believe it to be! When you learn how to lock your conscious mind on your target, you’ll find it can’t interfere with your stroke. To borrow from the powerful words of John 8:32 —

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

ANTHONY BEELER is the 2017 Pool Instructor of the Year and is a former BCAPL National 9-Ball Champion. He has numerous top 25 national finishes and is one of only 8 ACS Master Instructors in the world.

He is the primary author of the National Billiards Instructors Manual and has also authored the book Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool Players. Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor. He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 9

Karen Corr

Using the bridge I was watching an amateur league the other weekend and observed how most people were using the bridge. I grew up playing snooker so we learned to use the bridge more often than you would when playing pool.

Using The Bridge I think the biggest observation was how people were holding their cue. Their grip hand was still holding the wrap of the cue, which doesn’t allow proper delivery of the cue and tends to hit themselves with the butt. I also noticed most people would hold the bridge handle in the air when shooting, making it harder because they have to balance both their cue and the bridge (See Bridge 1 picture).

Bridge 1

10 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

The correct way to hold the bridge handle is to hold it down on the table, keeping the pressure on it so it doesn’t move, just like your bridge

Karen Corr hand would be. Hold the end of the cue with a one or two finger grip. Keep the elbow up and your forearm parallel to the table. Now the swing can be created from your elbow in a similar motion to when you are shooting except you are perpendicular from the normal swing position. This helps keep a distance from the end of the cue to your face that allows you to create the swing to generate the power for the stroke (Bridge 2 picture).

Bridge 4

Bridge 2

By standing back a little bit and side-on also creates the distance (Bridge 3 picture). Bridge 4 and 5 show the back swing and the forward stroke.

The example on Bridge 3, I like to use the lower height on the bridge head, and being right-handed I like to use the right side of the bridge. When I’m using the bat-wing bridge head I like to use the second level, where I am still able to get top and bottom English on the cue ball.

I was taught to practice the stroke using just the bridge handle and no cue ball (see Bridge picture 6). Do your practice swings with your cue over the bridge handle by going backwards and forwards seeing how straight your cue stays over the handle. On the last preparation stroke, pull

Bridge 5

the cue back then deliver with force as if you are playing a real shot and see how straight it goes (to see if the cue tip goes left or right). A perfect result is for it to stay straight all the time even after the delivery. Then put the shots up for real and keep practicing the bridge because this is the forgotten shot in pool as it doesn’t come up as much as it would on the snooker table. Good luck with your practice.

Bridge 6

Bridge 3 Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 11

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Melinda Bailey

Dennis Hatch MELINDA BAILEY

Dennis Hatch, “The Hatchetman,” is a well-known professional pool player, but how well do we really know him? Let’s find out more how this gentleman in pool (and in life) is making his future better and why he is the man he’s become today.

Q: How did you start playing pool?

A: I lived in the country up in Michigan and we used to get snowed in and my father started teaching me how to play. I was only 2 years old the first time he put a cue in my hand.

14 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

Q: What other sports have you played?

A: I have played tennis, baseball, basketball, golf, football and I was a 2X Silver Gloves champion boxer and national champion wrestler.

Q: What part of playing those other sports helped you to succeed at competing in pool?

A: The training in boxing and wrestling is intense and you have to make sure you train if you want to win. Same

Melinda Bailey thing with pool - you can’t be lazy, you need to practice and be in good shape or you’ll get tired towards the end of tournaments. My Father taught me at a very young age to try to be the best at whatever I did; not to be just mediocre. He was a really tough man and was pretty tough on me, but he made me tough and a champion.

Q: Of all the sports you played, why did you choose pool?

A: Pool was essentially chosen FOR me as it was what my father (Greg Hatch) wanted most as I was growing up and growing into a career choice. I had a natural talent and he refined it.

He loved the game and he molded me to be the best Q: What event were you playing in for the first time you were a “pro” player?

I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPOLITE NOT TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE WHEN ENGAGED IN CONVERSATION. I DON’T LIKE PEOPLE TO FEEL LEFT OUT. didn’t start beating the pro’s consistently until I turned 18, but once in a while from 15 til then I’d beat them. I was 18 when I beat Steve Mizerak 9-1 and ran 8 racks on him.

Q: Do any of your three sisters play pool?

A: No, none of them play.

Q: Your son is now 26 years old does he play pool?

A: Yes. My son plays pool on an amateur level.

Q: How did you feel when you realized you were now a pro player?

Q: One thing I have been most impressed about is when you are around players at amateur/league events, you give every player/fan your time and you make THEM feel like they are the important ones in the room. Why do you think you do that and do you realize you do that?

A: I was amazed that at that age I was competing with Earl Strickland. I

A: I’m just a regular guy. I don’t put myself on a pedestal and I like talking

A: I was playing at Starcher’s Billiards in Akron, Ohio when I was 15 years old. It was a Pro event and I took 2nd Place to Earl Strickland.

with everyone. I do realize I’m doing it, but I enjoy talking with the league players and juniors because they understand the complexity of what we do and they appreciate us.

Q: Another thing I am impressed with is whoever is with you as you walk through events, you always introduce them. You seem to (again) make the person next to you feel most important, part of the conversation and included. Why is this important to you? Why do you do this?

I don’t see this consistently with anyone else and it’s really awesome and different.

A: I think it would be impolite not to introduce people when engaged in conversation. I don’t like people to feel left out.

Q: My favorite moment is when you won MVP at the Mosconi Cup in Vegas Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 15

Melinda Bailey Q: I notice you announce on Facebook every month your sobriety.

Why do you do this and does it help you? (It helps those of us who have addictions, btw).

A: I announce it because it makes me proud and helps me want to keep pushing every day to stay sober. I also hope it helps others to see it’s possible to get and stay sober.

Q: Who are all the people you tag in those sober posts and why do you?

A: I tag my girlfriend, my family and some of the people who have helped me along the way. I also tag others who are fighting this battle.

in 2009. It was your first time on the USA team, but you cinched the MVP easily with your talent, play, and enthusiasm! Tell us about that whole experience. And how were you able to play and not be nervous?

A: It was an unbelievably amazing feeling to be a part of the Mosconi Cup Team and to represent the USA! I was incredibly nervous, but I channeled some of my nervous energy into pumping up the crowd.

Q: Who are your sponsors?

A: I am currently sponsored by High Rock, Meucci Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric, Kings of Vapor, G2 Tips and Universe Clothing.

Q: You quit drinking alcohol 24 months ago. Congrats on the two years! Why did you decide to quit drinking and I bet you feel GREAT. What are the positive benefits you see/feel being sober for this long?

A: I made a choice to make my life better for myself, for my girlfriend and for my family. I feel healthier physically and mentally. My life and my direction are clear.

16 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

Melinda Bailey MY FATHER TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING I KNOW. HE SAID MY SAFETY PLAY WOULD DETERMINE WHETHER I WIN OR LOSE AND THAT CUE BALL CONTROL WAS KEY. HE MADE ME PRACTICE AND PLAY RELENTLESSLY. HE MADE ME A CHAMPION. Q: How do your parents feel about you being a professional pool player?

A: My father passed in 2003 and my mother is still with us. They both love me being a professional pool player.

Q: You had issues with anger in the past – how did you get over that and how much did the positive change help your game?

A: Most of my issues with anger were amplified by drinking. I do not experience the type of anger that caused pain for me and the ones who are closest to me anymore. That’s not to say I don’t battle anger, but in most cases, I have the self-control I lacked when I was drinking. My game has improved as my focus has improved.

Q: What is the biggest money match you have played?

A: The biggest money match I have ever played was against Darren Appleton in 2009. My crew had bet almost $50,000. I won that match 100 - 83. I don’t lose for the money.

Q: You lock your opponents up so good they just stand there and shake their heads. How did you get SO good at being one of the most precise and best safety players in the game?

A: My father taught me everything I know. He said my safety play would determine whether I win or lose and that cue ball control was key. He made me practice and play relentlessly. He made me a champion.

Q: I think we might know the answer to this, but let’s ask it anyway: What is your favorite event to play in?

A: The Mosconi Cup is my favorite event.

Q: Do you have any goals you can share with us?

A: My biggest goal right now is to continue to fight to become a member of the Mosconi Cup Team this year, to win that event and bring the Cup back home, where it belongs. Long term goals will definitely include marrying my best friend, Jaymi.

Q: What do you think propelled you to be at the level you are today?

A: This is what propelled me, two words: Greg Hatch. He’s the original “Hatchetman.” He produced and directed Act II.

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 17

Jerry Briesath

How Much English Is Enough

JERRY BRIESATH

I am sure that you have all heard and read articles saying that "One Tip" of English is all you need.

T

he truth is that when you raise the cue tip one full tip above center as in a follow shot. now the bottom of the tip is striking the cue ball and therefore the contact is just a bit more than one-half tip above the center of the cue ball, which puts very little spin on the cue ball.

Players who try to use only one full tip of English often get frustrated when their cue ball does not follow or draw like the good guys.

Set up a shot by placing an object ball about two feet from the cue ball, almost but not quite straight in the pocket.

18 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

Try experimenting by shooting the shot a few times with a firm stroke one tip above center. Then shoot the same shot with the same power one and one-half tips above center and notice how the cue ball runs much farther after striking the object ball. Now shoot the same shot 1 3/4 tips above center and notice how the cue ball travels even further. Now try the same thing with backspin. A good player, with a properly rounded and chalked tip, can strike the cue ball almost two

full tips below center without miscueing.

Learning to strike the cue ball higher or lower enables you to shoot follow shots, draw shots and stop shots much softer and still get the job done.

Good luck -- Jerry

US Open 8-Ball and 10-Ball

Van Boening wins third US Open 10-Ball title, denied third US Open 8-Ball title by The Lion Shane Van Boening came within a single rack of winning his third title in both events, but 10 days after securing his third, and second consecutive US Open 10-Ball Championship title on July 19, Van Boening ran into the The Lion, Alex Pagulayan, in the 8-Ball Championships.

The Lion came from down 2-7 in the race-to-10 finals of that event to win it and deny Van Boening that third US Open 8-Ball title.

I

t would have been Van Boening’s second consecutive title in both events had he defeated Pagulyan. The 10-Ball Championships, with a top prize of $15,000, drew 64 entrants, while the 8-Ball Championships, with a top prize of $13,500, drew 52 entrants. Both events, held in conjunction with the 41st BCAPL National Championships, July 19-29, at The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, were hosted by Griff’s in Las Ve-

gas from July 17-19 (10-Ball) and July 29-31 (8-Ball).

In the earlier 10-Ball Championships, Van Boening faced Warren Kiamco twice, in the hot seat and finals. Van Boening had defeated Danny Stone, Vinnie Calabrese, and Ralf Souquet to draw the 2010 10-Ball Champion, Lee Van Corteza, in a winners’ side semifinal. Kiamco, in the meantime, had gotten by Molrudee Kasemchaiyanan,

Courtesy of JP Parmentier

Shane Van Boening

Denis Grabe, and Vilmos Foldes (double hill) to draw Pagulayan in the other winners’ side semifinal. Van Boening and Kiamco advanced to the hot seat match; Van Boening 9-7 over Van Corteza and Kiamco, 9-3 over The Lion.

Van Boening moved within a match of his second 10-Ball title by defeating Kiamco the first time 9-4 and claiming the hot seat.

On the loss side, Van Corteza ran into Roberto Gomez, Jr., who’d been sent to the loss side by Justin Bergman in the third winners’ side round, and was on a six-match, loss-side run that would take him as far as the semifinals. He’d won his third and fourth loss-side matches against Mario He 9-2 and, to the surprise of many, Skyler Woodward 9-7 to draw Van Corteza. The Lion drew Bergman, who’d been defeated in a winners’ side quarterfinal by Van Corteza, and downed Corey Deuel 9-6, and Souquet 9-5 to draw Pagulayan.

Pagulayan defeated Bergman 9-4, and in the quarterfinals, faced Gomez, who’d eliminated Van Corteza 9-7. Gomez spoiled a potential double-final matchup in the two events (Van Boening/Pagulayan) with a 9-7 win over Pagulayan in those quarterfinals. Then,

20 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

US Open 8-Ball and 10-Ball

Ten days later, The Lion stalks and defeats Van Boening to win 8-Ball title Ten days later, at the US Open 8-Ball Championships, Van Boening was at it again, advancing to the hot seat, only to be un-seated by Pagulayan in the finals. He’d gotten by Sina Valizadeh, Manny Perez, and Josh Roberts to draw Van Corteza in a winners’ side semifinal. Pagulayan, in the meantime, who, after being awarded an opening round bye, had defeated Danny Stone, Sky Woodward, and De-

nis Grabe, drew Dennis Orcollo in the other winners’ side semifinal.

Van Boening downed Van Corteza 8-6, and in the hot seat match, met up with Orcollo, who’d sent The Lion to the loss side in a tense, double hill match. Van Boening got into his second straight US Open 8-Ball hot seat 8-4.

On the loss side, Pagulayan opened what would prove to be his winning run against Thorsten Hohmann, who’d been sent over by Grabe in the third winners’ side round, and defeated Oscar Dominguez (double hill), Kim Laaksonen, Josh Roberts, and came within a game of shutting out Rodney Morris, to draw Pagulayan.

Van Corteza drew a re-match against Vinnie Calabrese, who, following that earlier defeat had won three double

THEY TRADED RACKS TO A DOUBLE HILL TIE, WITH VAN BOENING BREAKING FOR THE FINAL GAME. VAN BOENING SCRATCHED ON THAT BREAK, GIVING PAGULAYAN BALL-INHAND, AND EVENTUALLY, THE US OPEN 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

hill matches on the loss side; against Danny Stone, Nick Malaj, and Grabe, with an 8-6 win over Justin Bergman in the middle, following the win over Stone.

In another tense, double hill match, Pagulayan downed Hohmann, and in the quarterfinals, faced Van Corteza, who’d eliminated Calabrese 8-5. Pagulayan downed Van Corteza 8-4 in those quarterfinals, and earned his spot in the finals with an 8-6 win over Orcollo in the semifinals.

In the opening battles of the US Open 8-Ball Championship finals, it looked as though Van Boening was going to cruise to his second straight title. He jumped out to a 7-2 lead, which, in a race to 10, appeared to be insurmountable; emphasis on “appeared.”

And then, his break(s) went dry and The Lion stalked closer and closer, finally tying the score up at 8-8. They traded racks to a double hill tie, with Van Boening breaking for the final game. Van Boening scratched on that break, giving Pagulayan ball-in-hand, and eventually, the US Open 8-Ball Championship title.

Alex Pagulayan

Courtesy of JP Parmentier

Gomez got knocked out by Kiamco in the semifinals 9-7, setting up the Van Boening/Kiamco re-match. Kiamco managed one more rack than the last time in the hot seat match, as Van Boening claimed his second US Open 10-Ball title 9-5.

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 21

NAPT Event

Corr goes undefeated to capture second of three Division I NAPT titles She won the first one a little over a year ago; June, 2016. In the debut event of the fledgling North American Pool Tour at Breakers Sky Lounge in Herndon, VA, Karen Corr went undefeated through a field of 56 to capture her first and the first NAPT title.

T

wo months later, the NAPT’s first 10-Ball Summer Classic saw 16-year-old April Larson claim her first professional title. Just shy of a year later, August 17-20, Corr signed on to the $5,000-added, second 10-Ball Summer Classic and went undefeated again. Though it would be newcomer Molly Bontrager facing her in the hot seat match and veteran Eleanor Callado against her in the finals, Corr came within two matches (played and won by those two) of facing the same competitor she’d faced in the hot seat match and finals of the first 10-Ball Summer Classic, Jia Li.

Molly Bontrager, in the meantime, moved into the other winners’ side semifinal against Jia Li, Corr’s opponent in the finals of the first NAPT event. Bontrager had shutout Rho Reyes, given up two to Nicole King, defeated five-time Junior National Champion, April Larson, and downed JPNEWT veteran Kia Sidbury for the right to face Li. Corr downed Callado in their first of two, 7-3. Bontrager and Li battled Courtesy of Karl Kantrowitz

Corr opened her march to the winners’ circle by allowing only four racks against her through her first three matches. She gave up two against Amy Latzko in the opening round,

none at all to Lisa Lehman in round two and two more against Meredith Lynch before running into Brittany Bryant in a winners’ side quarterfinal.

Bryant chalked up more against her (five) than all three of her previous opponents combined, but Corr advanced to her first match against Callado in a winners’ side semifinal.

Karen Corr

22 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

to double hill before Bontrager advanced to the hot seat match against Corr. Corr sent Bontrager to a semifinal against Callado 7-4 and sat in the hot seat, waiting, as it turned out for Callado.

Over on the loss side, Callado picked up Sidbury, who, following her defeat at the hands of Bontrager, had eliminated Janeen Lee 7-2 and Kaylin Wykoff 7-3. Li drew Brittany Bryant, who, following her trip to the loss side, courtesy of Karen Corr, had downed Jenna Bishoff 7-2 and fought April Larson to double hill before advancing to face Li. Callado got by Sidbury 7-2, and in the quarterfinals, faced Li, who’d put Bryant on the wrong side of her second double hill fight. Callado then ended Li’s bid for a second NAPT finals match against Corr with a 7-4 win. It was Callado drawing that second chance card, as she eliminated Bontrager 7-4 in the semifinals. Corr downed Callado a second time, this time 6-1, to claim the NAPT Summer 10-Ball Classic, again.

NAPT President Adrianne Beach thanked the ownership and staff at Shooter’s Bar, co-tournament directors Chris Rogers and Ford Rice, and the staff and crew of Railbird Productions which live-streamed the event throughout the weekend. The next NAPT Division I event, scheduled for September 28-October 1, will be hosted by Eagle Billiards in Dickson City, PA

2017

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Pool Party in Vegas Attendance at World’s Largest Pool Tournament Continues to Soar LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (Aug. 31, 2017) — The American Poolplayers Association (APA) knows how to throw a party. And the party was in full effect at this year’s APA World Pool Championships in Las Vegas in early August.

Attendance at APA’s showcase event continues to soar after a record 1,960 teams competed in this year’s version of the World’s Largest Pool Tournament – APA’s second Vegas “shindig” of the year following the Poolplayer Championships in May.

The nearly 15,000 folks in attendance were treated to far more than they anticipated when they won their free trip to the championships during the World Qualifiers.

In addition to nearly round-the-clock tournament action for 10 straight days, APA members had the chance to rub elbows with the likes of “The Black Widow” Jeanette Lee, Internet Trick Shot Sensation Florian “Venom” Kohler and billiard Hall of Famer “Dr. Cue” Tom Rossman.

Money Shot from Toledo

Players capped off the experience of a lifetime with two epic pool parties held poolside at the Westgate which offered a picturesque view of the Las Vegas Strip.

Throw in more than $1.2 Million in cash and it all added up to a party unlike any other.

Apocaliptics from Chicago, Il

24 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

In the 700-team 8-Ball World Championship, Brew Crew II of Cape Girardeau, Mo., defeated Name This of Charlotte, N.C., to take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title.

APA Nationals and then placing in World Qualifiers throughout the United States, Canada and Japan, teams consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2017 APA World Championships.

In the Jack & Jill Doubles Championship, it was Money Shot of Toledo, Ohio, winning $3,500 in the finals with a victory over Corner’s Couple of Martinsburg, W.V. Corner’s Couple received $2,300 as Runner-Up in the 256-team event.

Now We Know from Richmond, Va.

THE APA IS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF AMATEUR POOL, HAVING ESTABLISHED THE OFFICIAL RULES, CHAMPIONSHIPS, FORMATS AND HANDICAP SYSTEMS FOR THE SPORT OF AMATEUR BILLIARDS. As Runners-Up, Name This received $15,000 in prize money.

of $350, with the top 8 teams winning at least $2,000.

Teams in the 8-Ball Championship squared-off in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All 8-Ball Division teams automatically received $350 in national qualifier money, and the top 8 teams won at least $5,000. The 8-Ball Division began play on Aug. 14 and concluded on Aug. 19.

After winning their divisions in weekly APA 8-Ball and 9-Ball League play

The finals of the Masters Championship featured Now We Know of Richmond, Va., defeating the Original Three Amigos of San Bernardino, Calif.

Now We Know took home $10,000 in 1st Place prize money, while the Original Three Amigos received $5,000 as Runner-Up in the 256-team event.

In the finals of the Ladies 8-Ball Championship, it was Apocalipsticks of Chicago, Ill., defeating Hensley’s Angels of Blue Springs, Mo., to win $10,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, Hensley’s Angels received $5,000 in cash.

In the 492-team 9-Ball World Championship, it was 5th Street Players of Dupo, Ill., defeating The Contenders II of West Covina, Calif., in the finals.

5th Street Players took home $15,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, The Contenders II received $7,000 in cash.

The 9-Ball Championship was held Aug. 10-14, with each team competing in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All national qualifiers received a minimum

5th Street Players of Dupo, Ill. Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 25

APA Nationals throughout the United States, Canada and Japan. Nearly 250,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9‑Ball League play. The APA is generally recognized as the Governing Body of Amateur Pool, having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicap systems for the sport of amateur billiards.

The APA produces four major tournaments each year—the APA World Pool Championships, the APA Poolplayer Championships, the APA Junior Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championship—that, together, pay out nearly $2 Million in cash and prizes annually!

Brew Crew II of Cape Girardeau, Mo

In addition, the APA conducted nearly round-the-clock MiniMania tournaments, which took place daily and were open to all APA members.

The MiniMania tournaments offered multiple formats with 100% prize

26 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

money payback that awarded nearly $260,000.

The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world’s largest amateur pool league, with leagues

The APA and its championships are sponsored by Aramith, Action Cues and PoolDawg.

For more information on the APA World Pool Championships, visit the official APA website at www.poolplayers.com.

Junior Nationals

29 Annual BEF Junior Nationals Rolls Ahead in Las Vegas th

August 18th, 2017 (Las Vegas, NV): The most respected, skilled and academically brilliant minded junior cueists from across the United States were just in Vegas competing in an action packed week of billiards.

A

few miles south of the Vegas strip the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) had presented and concluded the 29th Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships. This challenging co-event was held Wednesday-Saturday August 2nd- 5th, 2017, having returned to the family friendly South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. Showcased at one

28 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

end of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) Billiard & Home Leisure Expo was the BEF junior national’s arena.

The competition area boasted 20 professional 9-foot Diamond tables. This junior event is the only opportunity for U.S. billiard student-athletes to qualify to compete at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships being held this year Oct 31st – Nov. 5th, 2017 in Moscow, Russia.

On Tuesday, the registration process was in full motion with the noise and bustle of last minute preparations for the tournament and expo grand openings. There, the junior players received BEF sponsor gifts and a 2017 tournament memorabilia shirt. The junior events kicked off that evening with the highly anticipated and popular annual Adult-Youth Scotch Doubles tournament, which gave parents and juniors the chance to showcase

Junior Nationals & Under Boys (14UB) and 14 & Under Girls (14UG). The divisions played in 64, 64, 32 and 32 double elimination brackets respectively. The top 25% of players from each division then moved to single elimination brackets with the winners seeded and the oneloss players listed by a blind draw.

Without a doubt match play all week was exciting and intense as all players vied to make it to their respective finals single-elimination brackets.

Gracie Davis, Savanna Wolford, Vivian Liu, Tatum Cutting

their skills for a doubles fun-filled night and prizes. Even the pros were actively seeking to be recruited to fill in and play. BEF Tournament director Earl Munson remarked, “Big grins everywhere. The pros were playing like kids and the kids were playing like pros!” BCA Hall of Famers and multi world champions Nick Varner & Loree Jon Hasson along with Mosconi team USA and doubles silver medalist in World Cup of Pool, Skyler Woodward & Shane Van Boening joined with the junior players. Former 2002 junior national champion Beau Runningen was eagerly paired and proved he still had game, and fellow 2017 Team USA member Manny Perez matched up as well. Parent’s skill levels ranged in doubles competition from yikes (Where is the instructor quick?), to wow (Did you see that parent play?!).

Eventually the fun night ended with all the pros/junior teams converging to the semi-finals. 1st Place was Skyler Woodward & Trenton White, 2nd Place Nick Varner & Justin Toye, 3rd Place Loree Jon Hasson & Xavier Hultze, 4th Place Beau Runningen & Spencer Ladin.

Wednesday, the players meeting and group photo opened the 3 pm start of the first five rounds of the 2017

BEF Junior National 9-Ball tournament. This year’s tournament format incorporated the WPA World Junior style of preliminary double elimination brackets qualifying to a seeded single elimination finals bracket. The format also allows for the larger fields sizes, table and time constraints. This year’s field represented: 167 players, ranging from 7 to 18 years of age, from over 30 qualifying events, more than 25 states and including the U.S. Virgin Islands. There were four participating divisions included 18 & Under Boys (18UB), 18 & Under Girls (18UG), 14

On Friday night before the finals, the packed banquet night was held. The banquet comfortably seated all juniors, family members, pros, sponsors, and BEF staff and volunteers to enjoy a great meal, laughs, heartfelt speeches, recognitions, remembrance, awards and honors.

Each year players are nominated by their peers at the junior nationals to recognize sportsmanship on and off the table. This special award is in remembrance and recognition of one of BEF’s alumni’s, Brendan Crockett, who was more than just a talented young player taken early from life.

Brendan grew from an eager teenager to an intelligent, charming gentleman with true character and humility. His humor, willingness to work hard and ability to lead have been

Eric Roberts, Joshua Shultz, Joey Tate, Gabriel Martinez Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 29

Junior Nationals an important part of our programs.

The 2017 Brendan Crockett Character Award Recipients were: Eric Roberts from Crossville, Tennessee and Eliana Rodriguez from Brooklyn, New York.

The Special Guest Speaker at the banquet this year was “The Colonel”, Nick Varner. He humorously recounted his junior moments in the game and he jokingly had some great advice to share. “If you bet twice as much, you will learn twice as fast.” Varner has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the juniors and also stated, “This event is amazing and a great showcase of our (nations) top junior players”.

Newly inducted 2017 BCA Hall of Famer Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman also made his 24th appearance at the junior nationals. Dr. Cue, presented the 2017 Artistic Pool awards to this year’s champions, Timmy Bly (Bettendorf, IA), Michelle Jiang (Harvard, MA), Joey Tate Raleigh, NC) and Lana Keith (Dyersburg, TN).

The banquet night again amassed much of the junior field with the coveted title of “Academic All American” (AAA) when awards were presented.

Of the entire 167 player field, an incredible 45% of this year’s partici-

Eric Roberts, Eliana Rodriguez

pants (75 players!) earned school GPA’s of 3.5 and 31.6% of the AAA field earned 4.0 GPA’s, to receive recognition! The sport of billiards is definitely attracting, developing, and maintaining academic excellence! The banquet concluded with words of optimism and change from longtime BEF Trust-

ee Tom Riccobene, “Each of us can take home what we have learned here this week and share with the people we love and meet. You’re all champions and we are honored to learn from you”, Riccobene said.

The finals play for all divisions was held on Saturday Aug. 5th. In an effort to stay more aligned with the WPA World event, the BEF awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the top four finishers of each division.

All medalists in the 18UB & 18UG divisions along with the gold and silver medalists from the 14UG & 14UB divisions have been nominated for the 2017 WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships October 31st to November 5th in Moscow, Russia.

Hailey Fullerton, Alex Booth, Michelle Jiang, April Larson

30 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

This junior national was a year of competitive upsets. A trio of past back-to-back champions made up of Nathan Childress (14UB from North Chesterfield, VA), April “The Grinder” Larson (18UG from Bloomington, MN),

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Junior Nationals but Evans struggled to keep Summer’s from finally advancing to gold earning Evans the bronze medal this year.

Summers traded wins with Kaiden Hunkins from Waukesha, WI until the match was over with Austin Summers winning gold and Hunkins taking the silver medal for being runner-up in this year’s 18UB division. Thomas Haas from Lancaster, PA also took the bronze medal losing in the semifinals to Hunkins.

Ricky Evans, Austin Summers, Kaiden Hunkins

and Ashley Fullerton (14UG from Lake Park, MN) all sought to become threepeat champions but fell short and all new gold medalists emerged.

Larson drew a bye sliding her to the winner side where she then matched up and defeated Katelin Ballou and then Abigail Reese to move her to the 18UG finals 8 bracket. In the semifinals match April was determined to move on but rival Michelle Jiang from Harvard, MA ended her bid to claim her 3rd straight 18UG’s title earning Larson a bronze medal instead for her effort. Gracie Davis from Decatur, IL with her great play also joined Larson for the bronze. Jiang battled it out in the 18UG finals match against Alex Booth from Mount Ayr, IA with Jiang excitedly getting her first 18UG gold medal win with Booth taking the very respectable silver. Jiang has been playing very strong the last few months with her now qualifying for her 4th Junior Worlds. Jiang will head to Moscow, Russia with her fellow Team USA members on Oct 31st, 2017.

In the 14UG division it was also a battle to maintain the championship reign, as the 2016 14UG Champion Fullerton from Lake Park, MN tried but failed to make the 14UG’s final bracket losing her first match to Tatum Cutting from

32 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

Diamond, OH and her second to Vivian Liu from Harvard, MA. Liu and Cutting would eventually become opponents in the bronze medal round where Liu moved on leaving Cutting with the bronze. Gracie Davis from Decatur, IL matched up with Savanna Wolford from Troutville, VA in the other half of the semis with Davis also getting the bronze and earning Wolford a match up with Liu in the finals. The 14UG finals match played at 11am on Saturday spotlighted the two young quiet and upcoming players in Liu and Wolford. Both played well with Liu edging out the win with her first gold medal and Wolford proudly taking home the silver.

The title of 18UB champion was newly earned this year by Austin Summers from Metropolis, IL. Summers started out strong winning his first two matches only to come up short against Graham Swinson to earn a spot on the final 16 bracket winner seeded position. Needing only a single match win on the one loss side gave Summer’s his spot on the Final 16 single elimination 18UB bracket. Taking down Lukas Fracasso-Verner in a rescheduled reprieve match due to a disqualification sent Summer’s to play Ricky Evans in the semifinals. Evans from St. Peters, MO was last year’s 18UB champion

As always the 14UB’s is a very competitive division with high levels of play even for that age. As in the 18UG and 14UG, defending national champion Nathan Childress from North Chesterfield, VA was chasing his third consecutive championship. But Childress ran into a wall this year from a veteran BEF tournament player from Crossville, TN named Eric Roberts. Roberts knocked the defending champion, in a resounding statement of 6-0, to the one loss side where they would again meet up on the blind draw of the 14UB finals bracket. Again Roberts took Childress out this time for good with another convincing 6-2 win. Roberts would go on to win again in the quarterfinals against Jayden Liu from Harvard, MA only to eventually lose to Joey Tate from Lake Villa, IL in the semifinals earning Roberts his first medal ever with the Bronze. The very skilled Gabriel Martinez from New Braunfels, TX also earned a bronze medal after Joshua Shultz from Stedman, NC defeated him. Shultz earned a finals match with Joey Tate. Tate with 2X Junior Worlds experience under his belt was at an advantage in the high- pressure match for the gold with Shultz. After the last 9-ball was pocketed for the match wins the entire five-players strong Tate family, applauded with joy as their brother was crowned the BEF 2017 14UB Gold Medal Champion and Shultz as runner-up Silver Medalist.

The future is very bright for our BEF junior program members as there are

Junior Nationals now more than ever before, so many high level competitive opportunities at the local, state, national, and international level.

GOLD MEDALS: 18UB Austin Summers, (Metropolis, IL) 18UG Michelle Jiang, (Harvard, MA) 14UB Joey Tate, (Lake Villa, IL) 14UG Vivian Liu, (Harvard, MA) Silver Medals: 18UB Kaiden Hunkins, (Waukesha, WI) 18UG Alex Booth, (Mount Ayr, IA) 14UB Joshua Shultz, (Stedman, NC) 14UG Savanna Wolford, (Troutville, VA) BRONZE MEDALS: 18UB Thomas Haas, (Lancaster, PA) and Ricky Evans, (St Peters, MO) 18UG Hailey Fullerton, (Lake Park, MN) and April Larson, (Bloomington, MN) 14UB Eric Roberts, (Crossville, TN) and Gabriel Martinez, (New Braunfels, TX) 14UG Tatum Cutting, (Diamond, OH) and Gracie Davis, (Decatur, IL)

The Billiard Education Foundation proudly recognizes the industry leaders who helped make this year’s event possible.

Event Sponsors: Billiard Congress of America. Diamond Billiard Products, TLP Billiards, Simonis, Aramith, Ultimate Team Gear, Jacoby Cues, On the Wire Creative Media, Pechaur Cue, ACS, Champion, Valley, Dynamo, Connelly, FCI Billiards, McDermott, Predator, OB Cues, DigiCue, Presidential Billiards, West State Billiards, OGB Millwork, Professional Billiards Instructor Association, Master Chalk, Tiger, Presidential Billiards Pool & Billiard Magazine, Professor Q Ball, Billiards Digest, AzBilliards.com, Dr. Cue, Billiard University, Dave Alciatore, Bob Jewett, Brett Lewis, Jay Helfert, Jeremiah Gage and Tom Riccobene.

The BEF gives special thanks to all the individuals who gave countless hours throughout the year to help make this event possible: Samm DiepVidal, Tom Riccobene (BEF Treasurer), Jeremiah Gage (BEF Secretary), Shari Stauch (BEF President), Tammy Jo

Leonard (BEF Assistant National Director), Earl Munson (BEF Tournament Director) received the 2017 BCA Presidents Award, Rick Doner (BEF Head Referee), Justin Ballou (Assistant Head Referee), Ed Smith (Referee), Ed Stephens (Referee), Angela Williams (Referee), Dennis & Doris Stotler (Referees), Jim Ladin (Volunteer/Donor), Corey and Trena Wolford, Stephanie Shaw (Volunteer), Steve Strange(volunteer), congratulations to the new 2017 BCA Hall-of-Famer “Dr. Cue” Tom Rossman (Junior Artistic Pool Championship Director), Nick Varner (Pro Guest Speaker), Ra Hanna & Beau Runningen for providing live streaming/scoring/brackets through On The Wire Creative Media and pro commentary by Loree Jon Hasson and Max Eberle, Brian Glasgow and his professional team, all the staff at South Point and a huge thanks to BCA’s Rob Johnson, Chance Pack, and Shane Tyree for all their help and support, and to all the parents and juniors who are so dedicated to the sport we give a hearty thank you and we will see you next year in New Orleans.

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 33

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Mosconi Cup Team Europe spot. The remaining two players will be wildcard picks.

CHINAKHOV'S GREAT SEASON CONTINUES Ruslan Chinakhov, who earlier this year won a World Pool Series event in New York, added to his impressive resume as he took down the Dutch Open on the Euro Tour to give his 2017 Mosconi Cup chances a real boost.

Photo courtesy of EPBF

Ruslan Chinakhov

I

t was the first Euro Tour win for the ‘Siberian Express’ as he looks to become the second ever Russian player to compete in the Mosconi Cup – Konstantin Stepanov was a Euro winner back in 2007.

The win puts Chinakhov up to fifth place on the ‘World’ list and in second place on a tightly packed ‘European’ leaderboard. Players currently filling the top spots are Joshua Filler and Ralf Souquet (both Germany) on the ‘World’ list and Holland’s Nick Van Den Berg on the European list.

Unlike previous years there will be only two rankings instead of three.

The first will be the ‘European Ranking’ which includes the six European Level Two events and five European Level Three tournaments. The winner of this ranking will gain a spot on the Mosconi Cup side.

36 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

The second ranking will be the ‘World Ranking’ which will comprise all 13 events. The first and second placed players in this ranking will gain spots on the European Mosconi Cup team.

In the event that the winner of the European Ranking also comes first or second in the World Ranking, then the player filling the third position in the World Ranking will gain an automatic

The next ranking event is the Black Sea Cup which takes place on August 26/27 at Constanta, Romania, which counts towards both the European and World Ranking.

2017 European Mosconi Cup Rankings - World List (After seven events) 1 Joshua Filler (GER) 2 Ralf Souquet (GER) 3 Nick van den Berg (NED) 4 Albin Ouschan (AUT) 5 Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) 6 Niels Feijen (NED) 7 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (ESP) 8 David Alcaide (ESP) 9 Marco Teutscher (NED) 10 Mario He (AUT)

155 141 134 123 119 116 107 92 89 73

2017 European Mosconi Cup Rankings - European List (After six events) 1 Nick van den Berg (NED) 2 Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS) 3 Ralf Souquet (GER) 4 Niels Feijen (NED) 5 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (ESP) 6 David Alcaide (ESP) 7 Albin Ouschan (AUT) 8 Joshua Filler (GER) 9 Mario He (AUT) 10 Mark Gray (GBR)

121 119 114 103 94 92 83 75 73 69

POINTS CUT OFF Events with a field upwards of 80 players – top 32 Events with fields between 64 and 79 players – top 24 Events with less than 64 entries – top 16.

2017 MOSCONI CUP is sponsored by Rasson Billiards who supplies the Official Table; the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue and Chalk of the event and Ultimate Team Gear provide all Mosconi Cup apparel.

Mosconi Cup Team USA

RUIJSINK CONDUCTS OPENING BOOT CAMP FOR TEAM USA HOPEFULS WITH THE 2017 MOSCONI CUP now less than four months away, American Team captain Johan Ruijsink has been holding his first training camp for possible team members at Griff’s Billiards in Las Vegas.

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aking place from 12th to 16th August, it is the Dutchman’s first opportunity to take a close look at some of the players who may make up the final five to contest the 24th annual Mosconi Cup at the Mandalay Bay from 4th to 7th December.

The players working out this week are Shane Van Boening, Oscar Dominguez, Billy Thorpe Skylar Woodward, Dennis Hatch with Johnny Archer, fulfilling the role of Ruijsink’s vice-captain.

With the selection procedure this year entirely down to the captain, providing at least four of the five players selected are in the top ten of the rankings which conclude in early September.

“This December is going to be a massive job for the American team and I want to give ourselves every possible

chance to win the Mosconi Cup. I’m looking at every player closely as the make-up of the team and their ability to gel will be of critical importance.

“The line-up for 2017 is not determined yet, but I need to start the preparation, because an enormous task awaits Team USA,” he concluded.

RANKING RANKING AFTER AFTER 10 10 EVENTS EVENTS 1 Shane VAN BOENING 230 2 Dennis HATCH 145 3 Skyler Woodward 109 4 Oscar Dominguez 84 5 Rodney Morris 78 6 Billy THORPE 74 7 Hunter Lombardo 59 8 Corey Deuel 56

9 Donny Mills T10 Josh Roberts T10 Brandon Shuff 12 Johnny ARCHER 13 Shaun Wilkie 14 Justin Bergman 15 Earl Strickland

48 45 45 43 40 39 30

For full rankings to www.matchroompool.com/mosconi-cup

2017 MOSCONI CUP is sponsored by Rasson Billiards who supplies the Official Table; the cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc. Predator is the Official Cue of the event and Ultimate Team Gear provide all Mosconi Cup apparel.

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 37

DVD Review

Defining ‘laid back,’ Corey Deuel convenes School of Pool The four DVDs are collectively entitled “School of Pool by Corey Deuel.” It’s a clever play on words, of course, but don’t let its rhyme fool you. If you sit down to watch these four separate training sessions, taught by Mr. Deuel, you’re going to learn quite a lot.

O

ne of the first things you’ll learn is about the man himself. His demeanor and speech throughout is so laid back, you tend to wonder if there’s anything that would excite him. This, of course, is a good trait when it comes to competing at pool because nothing will knock you off-stride in a game quicker than getting fired up over something. You get too frustrated at a bad roll, or too full of yourself when you make a good shot, and it has a way of impacting your game, usually in a negative way.

In the School’s DVD on 8-Ball, Deuel, after demonstrating a number of different ways to break 8-ball racks, sets himself up with a series of them, breaks, and then talks you through his thinking as he runs the table. Every one of them. In the first such rack, he completes the run and comments (very laid back) that the run that he accomplished “wasn’t my original plan.”

You’d never know this from watching him do it. This is something of an intangible that you pick up from these DVDs. While Deuel is hard at work, passing along what he knows about the varied games and techniques/ skills needed to win them, he conducts himself in a way that could work as a model for “effective demeanor at a pool table.” Stay calm, within yourself. Don’t let a bad roll frustrate you.

Take the new layout and deal with it as though it’s just the way you planned it. And oh yeah, feel free to laugh once in a while (as he does when an 8-ball break doesn’t go as planned).

38 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

The complete set of four DVDs offers separate training in Basics, 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and One Pocket, each with its own set of specific instructions related to each game. The Basics offers something of an introduction to a variety of subjects, many of them applicable to newcomers. He begins with a

short section on selecting a cue stick, pointing out differences in weight, shafts and the overall ‘feel’ for a stick, offering, in the end, advice to “find a cue you really like.”

A section on The Bridge (the one you form with your hand) demonstrates a

DVD Review number of them, including ones designed for special shots (over balls, off rails, etc.). He delves into use of the Mechanical Bridge, offers tips on the Grip, the Stroke, aiming systems, the science of and need to compensate for deflection and how it can affect your shot. He talks draw, spin (English), eye patterns (helping you identify your ‘dominant eye’), combinations, bank shots and kicking, all in short segments of video that allow you to watch and appreciate what they have to offer in small doses. This is true of all four DVDs, offering a series of segments, rather than a single, prolonged session that covers all of the territory at once.

LIKE MOST DVDS OF ITS KIND, IT OFFERS PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION ON IMPROVING YOUR POOL GAME. IT’S DEUEL’S HOPE, STATED AT THE END OF MOST SMALL SEGMENTS, THAT “IT’LL HELP IMPROVE YOUR GAME.”

up’ about handling the whole package with care.

Sold separately on the School of Pool Web site (http://www.schoolofpool. com), each DVD (Basics, 8-Ball, 9-Ball, One Pocket) is offered at $30, with a $100 price tag for all four in a special package. Like most DVDs of its kind, it offers practical instruction on improving your pool game. It’s Deuel’s hope, The DVDs themselves are thin, and stated at the end of most small segthe plastic packaging that holds them ments, that “it’ll help improve your in place is a little fragile. My copy (the game.” There is little doubt that it can, plastic holder) broke within a matter because it offers a wide range of adof days from normal handling. This vice, from the simple (how to hold a doesn’t detract from the content, of stick) to the complex (the nature and accu-ad.AZ.half.AUG.2017.qxp_Layout 1 of 7/24/17 12:37 PM Page 1 course, but it is something a ‘heads compensation necessary to under-

stand and deal with deflection) and does so with a combination of spoken narrative and visual demonstrations.

Whether it will (improve your game), depends a lot on you and the extent to which you absorb what this recognized top professional player is offering you in his School of Pool.

Class dismissed.

Deuel was assisted in the recording of these School of Pool sessions by Max Eberle and Alvin Nelson, and recorded them in the elegant, darkwood paneled home pool room of Ward Blakefield.

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The Buzz Spotlight

THE BUZZ SPOTLIGHT

AZB Staff

THIS MONTH THE BUZZ SPOTLIGHT FALLS ON THE 2005 AMWAY CUP. THIS WAS THE FINAL YEAR THAT THE EVENT WAS AN INVITATIONAL. THE FOLLOWING YEAR IT WOULD BECOME THE FULL-FIELD WPA WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. IT WOULD REMAIN THE WORLD’S UNTIL THAT EVENT MOVED TO MAINLAND CHINA IN 2009.

T

he 2005 Amway Cup World Women Billiards Invitational was held in Taipei, Taiwan. The dozen women selected by the organizers to participate this year were Jeanette Lee (USA), Yuan-Chun Lin (TPE), Shu-Han Chang (TPE), Jasmin Ouschan (AUS), Jennifer Chen (TPE), Wendy Jans (DEN), Ga-Young Kim (KOR), Jennifer Barretta (USA), Shin-Mei Lu (TPE), Allison Fisher (GB), Akimi Kajitani (JPN), and Karen Corr (IRE).

The tournament was a round-robin format where the dozen combatants were broken into two brackets of six players each. These two groups would do battle for two and a half days to determine the top two finishers in each group. Those four players then graduated to the final stages.

Day one got off to an early 9:30 AM start and the first three matches of the day all went to hill-hill heartbreakers. Jeanette Lee was the first winner,

defeating Yuan-Chun Lin 7-6, followed

by Shu-Han Chang’s defeat of Jasmin Ouschan by the same 7-6 score line. The third close one was Jennifer Chen’s narrow escape of Wendy Jans (7-6).

The next three matches had only slightly wider margins. Ga-Young Kim led Jennifer Barretta 4-0 at one point before Barretta clawed back to 4-3.

Then Kim pulled away and finally won by the score of 7-4. Jasmin Ouschan

Figure 1: The press conference featured all contestants and was packed with press from throughout Asia

40 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

The Buzz Spotlight

Figure 2: A sense of humor got Jeannette through the photo shoot just prior to winning the first match of the event.

Figure 4: Wendy ate the Spider

Figure 5: Shu-Han Chang fell to Liu but then defeated Corr

met her second loss of the day at the hands of defending champion ShinMei Liu 7-4 and Allison Fisher took the wind from Kajitani Akimi’s sails 7-5.

The final two matches of the day found Jennifer Chen defeating Akimi Kajitani 7-3 and Shin-Mei Liu prevailing over Shu-Han Chang.

Wendy Jans then polished off Akimi Kajitani 7-3.

The first tsunami of the day came next as Karen Corr mastered the table over Jennifer Barretta 7-2. After a brief delay due to a scoring confusion in their match, Jeanette Lee and Wendy Jans continued with Wendy prevailing 7-2.

Day two of the Amway Cup saw its share of upsets that put many of the top players in doubt as to their chances of surviving through to the final four. The day began with Shu-Han Chang defeating Karen Corr 7-5.

Figure 3: Jennifer Barretta found that sometimes nothing you do is enough.

A major upset occurred when Yuan-Chun Lin dominated Allison Fisher. Yuan-Chun won the first game of

Figure 6: Lin played smart and sharp and showed no nerves Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 41

The Buzz Spotlight the set in a back and forth match, but then took control and ran four straight racks while Allison could only watch from her chair. The next time Allison stood at the table was after nothing fell on the sixth break of the set and she by then trailed in the race to seven 5-0. Even the great Duchess could not overcome such an advantage and Yuan-Chun soon celebrated a 7-3 win over Fisher.

Jennifer Barretta then destroyed the defending champion Shin-Mei Liu 7-3 and Jennifer Chen won out over Jeanette Lee 7-5.

Karen Corr’s troubles worsened next when she lost her second match of the day to Jasmin Ouschan 7-4. ShinMei Liu regained her balance in the next match by besting Ga-Young Kim 7-6 and Allison Fisher rebalanced her score sheet by taking down Wendy Jans 7-4.

Figure 8: Fisher just kept getting shape and making shots

Chen 7-1. Akimi Kajitani finally tasted victory by defeating Jeanette Lee 7-4 while Ga-Young Kim rolled over Jasmin Ouschan 7-2.

Jennifer Barretta continued her comeback with another impressive win, taking out Shu-Han Chang 7-3 as Yuan-Chun Lin triumphed over Jennifer

Allison Fisher then gained revenge for her earlier loss by blanking Jennifer Chen 7-0 in an effort that saw Allison running 5 racks in a row. Wendy Jans continued her winning ways by showing the door to Yuan-Chun Lin 7-2. Our final two matches of the day found Karen Corr strengthening with a 7-6 squeaker over Ga-Young Kim and Jas-

Figure 7: During the event Jennifer Chen could also be seen in ads on billboards and on television.

Figure 9:Kajitani found her game against Jeanette

42 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

min Ouschan removing Jennifer Barretta 7-1.

In the final four matches to determine those who would stay until the end Allison Fisher defeated Jeanette Lee 7-4, Ga-Young Kim overruled Shu-Han Chang 7-5, Karen Corr demolished Shin-Mei Liu 7-0 and Yuan-Chun Lin busted Kajitani Akimi 7-3.

Since there were ties in both brackets the first tie-breaker was used to determine our winners. This tie-break-

Figure 10: Jasmin was 19 yrs old at this event

The Buzz Spotlight This brought about the following scoring situation in the two brackets: GROUP 'A' PLAYER

WINS

LOSSES

POINTS

Ga-Young Kim

3

2

11

Shin-Mei Liu

3

2

11

Karen Corr

3

2

11

Shu-Han Chang

2

3

9

Jasmin Ouchin

2

3

9

Jennifer Barretta

2

3

9

WINS

LOSSES

POINTS

Allison Fisher

4

1

13

Yuan-Chun Lin

3

2

11

Jennifer Chen

3

2

11

Wendy Jans

3

2

11

Jeanette Lee

1

4

7

Akimi Kajitami

1

4

7

GROUP 'B' PLAYER

Figure 11: Shin-Mei Liu

er was who had won the most total racks throughout the week. Using this method the players who progressed from Bracket ‘A” were Karen Corr, Shin-Mei Liu and Ga-Young Kim with Kim having the most rack wins and therefore gaining the honor of being placed in the semi-finals while Corr and Liu were placed in the quarter-final bracket.

The ‘B’ Bracket found Allison Fisher resting unchallenged in first while Wendy Jans and Yuan-Chun Lin would participate in the quarter-finals. At this point the two brackets were eliminated and we were in a standard tournament format. The evening session for Day 3 is decided our finalists. The first match of the night saw Karen Corr retiring Yuan-Chun Lin 7-3. Shin-Mei Liu then ended Wendy Jan’s run 7-5.

Wendy and Lin earned 5-6 honors for their efforts.

Our championship round was between Allison Fisher and Ga-Young Kim. Allison started out strong, jumping into an early 5-1 lead. Ga-Young Kim could never catch up.

Then Allison Fisher dusted Karen Corr 7-3 as Ga-Young Kim bettered Shin-Mei Liu 7-2. This set up our final matches for Monday when Allison Fisher and Ga-Young Kim would do battle for the championship and Shin-Mei Liu and Karen Corr would contest to decide third place.

Figure 12: Karen Corr

44 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

The final two matches of the 2005 Amway Cup were held the following evening. The first pairing, between Karen Corr And Shin-Mei Liu, found Karen Corr capturing third place with a 7-4 victory.

Figure 13: Karen Corr took third place

The Buzz Spotlight

Figure 14: Ga-Young Kim honored with second place

Allison continued to stretch out her lead, looking very comfortable at the table, and took the championship with a commanding 11-6 margin.

Asked afterward as to the factors that led to her victory Allison commented that her focus had been excellent all week and that she had been able to quickly forget and put aside any errors she may have made.

Figure 18: Jennifer Barretta

After the trophy presentations were made the entire cast of players along with friends and fans moved down the street to a local nightclub and enjoyed a party hosted by event organizer Mr. Tu.

Figure 16: Jennifer Chen

Figure 15: Our Champion for 2005, Allison FIsher

Figure 19: Jeanette Lee

Figure 17: The player entrances were galarific!

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 45

Music Inspiration

KRISTIN BUTTERFIELD

You have been practicing overtime, perfecting your skill set, eating right and focusing your mind. Now as the match nears, you are in need of something to get you pumped up and ready to go!

What kinds of music are you interested in? We have a list (in the top genres) of songs that will get you ready for your big match. Make sure to create a playlist with these songs to get you energized and ready to kick some butt! Putting together a perfect playlist to take your mind off your nerves, might be exactly what you need.

46 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

HIP HOP/RAP Hip Hop music (also called rap) is characterized by four elements including; rapping, djing, beatboxing and breaking. Hip hop or Rap is a music style that involves the repeated beat style to support the lyric delivery with an emphasis on expressing deep feelings.

• DJ Snake and Lil John - Turn Down for What • Blackstreet - No Diggity • House Of Pain - Jump Around • Kriss Kross - Jump • Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It • Tag Team - Whoomp There It Is • Nelly - Here comes the boom (and Pop) • Fort Minor - Remember the Name • DJ Khaled - All I do is win • Eminem - Lose Yourself & Not Afraid • Kanye West feat. Young Jeezy Amazing • Trick Daddy ft. Lil Jon and Twista - Lets Go • Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two

Music Inspiration

COUNTRY Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with romantic and country lyrics and harmonies accompanied by mostly string instruments such as banjos, electric, acoustic guitars and harmonicas. Country has roots in traditional folk music, spirituals and blues.

• Garth Brooks - Friends In Low Places • Brantley Gilbert - Bottoms Up & The Weekend • Florida Georgia Line & Luke Bryan - This is how we roll • Blake Shelton & Pistol Annies Boys Round Here • Chase Rice - Ready Set Roll • Big & Rich - Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy

ROCK Rock was the dominant form of music from the 60’s-90’s, being replaced by hip hop as the dominant form after.

A Rock group consists of Electric Guitars, Bass and Drums. Rock emphasizes heavy beats, philosophical themes, simple chord progressions and short repetitive lyrics.

• AC/DC - It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll) & TNT • Survivor - Eye of the Tiger • Journey - Don’t Stop Believin’ • Queen - We Are the Champions & We Will Rock You • Guns N Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine • Bon Jovi - Livin’ on a Prayer • Salt-N-Pepa - Push It • Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)

METAL Metal is characterized by highly amplified guitar distortion, extended guitar solos, aggressive rhythms and overall loudness. With metal music, listeners usually bang their head with every beat.

POP Pop comes from the word “Popular”.

Pop is the trend that most people follow. The aim of this type of music is to appeal to a general audience, rather than to a particular sub-culture or ideology.

• Black Eyed Peas - Pump it (also a Hip Hop group) • Christina Aguilera - Fighter • Macklemore, Ryan Lewis & Ray Dalton - Can’t Hold Us • Far East Movement Ft. The Cataracs & Dev - Like A G6

• Europe - The Final Countdown • Papa Roach - Last Resort • Guns N’ Roses - Welcome to the Jungle • Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train • AC/DC - Thunderstruck

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 47

Music Inspiration A FEW MORE GREAT SONGS FROM OTHER GENRES...

R&B/CLASSIC SOUL

DANCE/ELECTRONIC

TECHNO

(Combines the elements of gospel music, rhythm and blues and jazz)

(Broad range of percussive electronic music genres made for nightclubs & raves)

(Electronic dance music)

Tammi Terrell & Marvin Gaye - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Fatboy Slim - Right here, right now

David guetta and Sia - Titanium

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48 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

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Upcoming Tournaments

Each month looks ahead at the events on our calendar to give both players and fans the information they may use to plan their activities.

SEPTEMBER 01 - SEPTEMBER 30 Predator Pro-Am Tour 2017 Stop 14 09/02 - 09/03

09/23 - 09/24

Steinway Billiards Astoria, NY Website: http://www.predatorproamtour.com/index.asp

Action Pool Tour 2017 Stop 9 Ladies Division 09/10 - 09/10

Breakers Sky Lounge Herndon, Va Website: http://www.actionpooltour.com

Metro Sportz Bar Phoenix, AZ Website: http://www.diamondpooltour.com

44th Annual Texas Open Ladies Division 09/02 - 09/03

OB Cues Ladies Tour 2017 Stop 5 09/16 - 09/17

Sunshine State Pro Am Tour 2017 Stop 7

Skinny Bob's Billiards Round Rock, Texas Website: http://skinnybobs.com/texasopen.html

Diamond Pool Tour 2017 Stop 5 09/09 - 09/10 Main Street Billiards Mesa, AZ Website: http://www.diamondpooltour.com

Definition Of A Player Tour 2017 Stop 2 09/09 - 09/09

The New Jordan Lane White Hall, Pennsylvania

AllOutPool 10-Ball Tour Stop 1 09/09 - 09/09

Europa Billiards Boynton Beach, Florida

Action Pool Tour 2017 Stop 9 Open Division 09/09 - 09/10

Breakers Sky Lounge Herndon, Va Website: http://www.actionpooltour.com

50 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

Slick Willie's - Austin Austin, Texas Website: http://www.obcuestour.com/

Predator Pro-Am Tour 2017 Stop 15 09/16 - 09/17

CueBar Billiards Bayside, NY Website: http://www.predatorproamtour.com/index.asp

West Coast Women's Tour 2017 Stop 4 09/16 - 09/17

Diamond Pool Tour 2017 Stop 6

09/23 - 09/24 Park Avenue Billiards Orange Park, FL Website: http://www.sunshinestateproamtour.com/

The Maine Event XI 09/23 - 09/24 TJ's Classic Billiards Waterville, Maine Website: http://www.joss9balltour.com/

The Broken Rack Emeryville, CA Website: http://www.twcwt.com/

Definition Of A Player Tour 2017 Stop 3

Arizona Women's Billiards Tour 2017 Stop 5 09/16 - 09/17

West Chester Billiards West Chester, Pennsylvania

Griff's Las Vegas, Nevada Website: http://www.awbt.net

All Japan Open Championship 2017 09/16 - 09/26

Archaic hall Amagasaki-city

09/23 - 09/23

Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour 2017 Stop 9 09/30 - 09/30 Bogies Billiards & Games Houston, TX Website: http://gulfcoastregionaltour.com

2017 OMEGA BILLIARDS 9-BALL TOUR $1,700 Guaranteed Added!

Each stop limited to 80 (or 64) paid players

Jan 14-15, Rusty’s Billiards

3151 South Cooper Street, Arlington, TX 76015 (817) 468-9191

Feb 11-12, The Billiard Den

580 West Arapaho Road, Richardson, TX 75080 (972) 792-7665

July 15-16, Open Table (Limited to 64 players) 112 Southeast Pkwy, Azle, Tx 76020

Aug 5-6, Wizards

747 S. Central Expressway (I75), Richardson, TX 75080 972-235-0371

March 25-26, Pockets

Sept 9-10, Speed’s Billiards

April 29- April 30, JR Pockets

Oct 14-15, Hideaway

210 S industrial Blvd Euless, TX 76040 (817) 858-0507

1127 Fort Worth Drive, Denton, TX 76205 (940) 383-3573

May 27-28, Pucketts

5705 Crowley Rd, Fort Worth 76134 (817) 293-8286

June 24-25, Clicks Billiards 2800 Forestwood Dr. (off Green Oaks & 360) Arlington, TX 76006 (817) 649-POOL

700 N. Watson Rd, Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 640-7675 (Limited to 64 players) 14902 Preston Rd #924 Dallas, Texas 75254 972-661-5221

Nov 11-12, New Pool Room Will be located in Richardson, TX

Dec 16-17, Rusty’s Billiards Season Finale, at least 5,000-added!

3151 South Cooper Street, Arlington, TX 76015 MUST play in minimum FIVE (5) stops in 2017 to qualify. NOT limited to 80 players.

MUST PAY IN ADVANCE TO GET ON LIST. Check website for options or PayPal $50 to omegabilliardstour@gmail.com.

Doors Open 9 am. Must sign in by 10am. Auction begins at 10:30am (100% payback!).

Entry Fee $50 (Includes $7.50 green fee / $7.50 registration fee).

Texas Express Rules modified to tour specifications. Handicapped Tournament.

Please Thank Your Sponsors!

Omega Billiards Supply, Hurst, TX │ FargoRate │ OB Cues │ CSI │ BCAPL │ Accu-Rack │ PoolSchool │ Irving Ink and Thread http://www.omegabilliardstour.com or https://www.facebook.com/OmegaBilliardsTour

Upcoming Tournaments

Each month looks ahead at the events on our calendar to give both players and fans the information they may use to plan their activities.

SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 31 World 8-Ball Series 2017 Grand Finale 09/27 - 10/01

3rd Annual Great Dismal Swamp 9-Ball Classic 10/13 - 10/15

Steinway Billiards Astoria, NY

Colonial Cues Elizabeth City, North Carolina

NAPT Freedom Classic 09/28 - 10/01

Gotham City Pro 9-Ball Classic Sharon "Sam" Fagnoni Memorial 10/14 - 10/16

Eagle Billiards Dickson City, Pa Website: http://www.playnapt.com/

Lone Star Billiards Tour 2017 Stop 8 Open Division 09/30 - 10/01

Bogies Billiards & Games Houston, TX Website: http://www.lonestarbilliardstour.com/

The Hudson Valley Fall Classic 09/30 - 10/01

The Spot Nanuet, New York Website: http://www.joss9balltour.com/

Diamond Pool Tour 2017 Stop 7 10/07 - 10/08 Kolby's Corner Pocket Tempe, AZ Website: http://www.diamondpooltour.com

Definition Of A Player Tour 2017 Stop 4 10/07 - 10/07

Royal Billiards Wilmington, Delaware

Gotham City Billiards Brooklyn, NY Website: http://www.predatorproamtour.com/index.asp

Lone Star Billiards Tour 2017 Stop 9 Open Division 10/14 - 10/15

Bogies Billiards & Games Houston, TX Website: http://www.lonestarbilliardstour.com/

Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour 2017 Stop 10 10/14 - 10/14

Bogies Billiards & Games Houston, TX Website: http://gulfcoastregionaltour.com

Joss Tour 2017-2018 Stop 3 10/14 - 10/15

Diamond Billiards Modesto, California Website: http://www.twcwt.com/

Arizona Women's Billiards Tour 2017 Stop 6 10/21 - 10/22

Bullshooters Phoenix, AZ Website: http://www.awbt.net

Joss Tour Junior 9 Ball Championship 10/21 - 10/22

Sharpshooters Billiards & Sports Pub Amsterdam, NY Website: http://www.joss9balltour.com/

U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship 10/22 - 10/28

Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel Norfolk, Va Website: http://www.usopen9ballchampionships.com/

Predator Pro-Am Tour 2017 Stop 17 10/28 - 10/29

Sharpshooters Billiards & Sports Pub Amsterdam, NY Website: http://www.joss9balltour.com

Spin City Café Billiards New York, NY Website: http://www.predatorproamtour.com/index.asp

2017 American Straight Pool Championship 10/17 - 10/21

Lone Star Billiards Tour 2017 Stop 10 Open Division 10/28 - 10/29

Diamond Billiards Midlothian, VA Website: http://www.americanstraightpool.com

52 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

West Coast Women's Tour 2017 Stop 5 10/21 - 10/22

CK Billiards Dallas, Tx Website: http://www.lonestarbilliardstour.com/

Monthly Results

Tourney Results 08/12 - 08/12 Q City 9-Ball Tour Stop The Clubhouse Lynchburg, Virginia 1 Scott Roberts 3 Peter Abatangelo 4 Doug Carter

$500 $150 $125

08/05 - 08/06 Diamond Pool Tour 2017 Open Stop 4 Griff's Las Vegas, Nevada 1 Vilmos Foldes 2 Sina Valizadeh 3 Daniel Coffman 4 Ian Costello

$550 $350 $200 $130

08/05 - 08/05 Sunshine State Pro Am Tour 2017 Stop 5 Corner Pocket Largo, FL 1 Kyle Bova 2 Kenny Willis 3 Dale Stanley 4 George Saunders 5 Michael Delawder 5 Mubarak Sulaiman 7 Justin McNulty 7 Angel Martinez 9 Ron Hollifield 9 Randy Maynor 9 Mike Destefano 9 Joe Scarborough

08/05 - 08/05 Q City 9-Ball Tour Stop The Clubhouse Lynchburg, Virginia

54 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

$750 $475 $340 $220 $130 $130 $85 $85 $65 $65 $65 $65

1 Harry Cooper 2 Steven Ellis 3 Brian White 4 Kyle Bailey 5 Mike Jones 5 Hunter White

$650 $450 $285 $150 $100 $100

08/05 - 08/06 Omega Billiards Tour 2017 Stop 8 Wizards Sports Cafe Richardson, Texas 1 Jeremy Jones 2 Danny Williams 3 Jesse Wilcoxson 4 Jeff Turney 5 Crispian Ng 5 Aram Hasan 7 David Gutierrez 7 Tony Sulsar 9 Luis Lopez 9 Alberto Nieto 9 Denny Sneed 9 Amos Bush 13 Shane Iyer 13 Robert Kempf 13 Jarry Pelayo 13 Justin Whitehead 17 Ricky Ferguson 17 Robbie Cleland 17 Tony Matthew 17 Gerardo Perez 17 Greg Sandifer 17 Robin Barbour 17 Mike Voelkering

$1,000 $780 $600 $510 $400 $400 $320 $320 $140 $140 $140 $140 $100 $100 $100 $100 $60 $60 $60 $60 $60 $60 $60

2 Reymart Lim 3 Shaun Wilkie 4 Bill Duggan 5 Dwight Cherry 5 R.J. Carmona 7 Brian Dietzenbach 7 Eric Moore 9 David Hunt 9 Christopher Wilburn 9 Greg Sabins 9 Scott Haas

$600 $400 $250 $150 $150 $100 $100 $60 $60 $60 $60

08/05 - 08/06 Diamond Pool Tour 2017 Amateur Stop 5 Griff's Las Vegas, Nevada 1 Rick White 2 Nico Scalise 3 Jesse Hill 4 Debby Aarens 5 Noah Contreras 5 Nat Green

$800 $600 $400 $200 $100 $100

08/06 - 08/06 Tri State Tour 2017-2018 Clifton Billiards Clifton, New Jersey 1 Dax Druminski 2 Jaydev Zaveri 3 Ed Medina 4 Bob Toomey 5 Roger Hanos 5 Tony Ignomirello

$575 $300 $200 $130 $80 $80

08/05 - 08/06 Action Pool Tour 2017 Stop 8 Open Division

08/06 - 08/06 Western New York Pool Tour Stop

Q-Master Billiards Virginia Beach, VA 1 Zoren James Aranas

Dutch Mill Restaurant, Party Room and Pool Hall Greece, NY

$1,000

Monthly Results 1 Bill Stratac 2 Ques Aziz 3 Amanda Eisensmith 4 Nick Brucato

$450 $175 $100 $65

08/10 - 08/12 Dynamic Dutch Open Golden Tulip Jagershorst Leende, 1 Ruslan Chinakhov 2 Christoph Reintjes 3 Albin Ouschan 3 Sergey Lutsker 5 Marco Teutscher 5 Oliver Ortmann 5 Niels Feijen 5 Jayson Shaw 9 Christian Sparrenloev Fischer 9 Francisco Diaz-Pizarro 9 Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz 9 Fedor Gorst 9 Stephan Cohen 9 Wojciech Szewczyk 9 Maximilian Lechner 9 Joao Grilo 17 Nick Malai 17 Wiktor Zielinski 17 Michael Schneider 17 Ralf Souquet 17 Mats B. Schjetne 17 Radoslaw Babica 17 Mohammad Soufi 17 Konstantin Stepanov 17 Nick Van Den Berg 17 David Alcaide 17 Daniel Tangudd 17 Mateusz Sniegocki 17 Maksim Dudanets 17 Jakub Koniar 17 Abdullah Alyousef 17 Konrad Juszczyszyn 33 Ivo Aarts 33 Eklent Kaci 33 Piotr Ostrowski 33 Karol Skowerski

$5,298 $3,532 $2,060 $2,060 $1,471 $1,471 $1,471 $1,471 $1,177 $1,177 $1,177 $1,177 $1,177 $1,177 $1,177 $1,177 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $589 $294 $294 $294 $294

33 Jose Delgado 33 Michal Turkowski 33 Onur Yildrim 33 Roman Hybler 33 Alex Montpellier 33 Abdulrahman Alammar 33 Panagiotis Xypoliteas 33 Nick Ekonomopoulos 33 Kim Laaksonen 33 Evgeny Buslaev 33 Albert Casellas-Planas 33 Ville Hamalainen

$294 $294 $294 $294 $294 $294 $294 $294 $294 $294 $294 $294

Bank Shot Bar & Grill Laurel, MD 1 Earl Strickland 2 Zoren James Aranas 3 Shaun Wilkie 4 Mike Davis

$1,650 $1,100 $845 $675

08/12 - 08/12 Tri State Tour 2017-2018 Rockaway Billiards Rockaway, NJ 1 Brian Cap 2 Harry Guevarez 3 Allison LaFleur 4 Andrew Cicoria

08/11 - 08/13 Dynamic Dutch Open Ladies Division Golden Tulip Jagershorst Leende, 1 Marharyta Fefilava 2 Oliwia Czuprynska 3 Eylul Kybaroglu 3 Yvonne Ullmann 5 Kristina Tkach 5 Melanie Suessenguth 5 Katarzyna Wesolowska 5 Kristina Schagan

08/12 - 08/13 Maryland State 10-Ball Bar Table Championship

$942 $707 $471 $471 $353 $353 $353 $353

$500 $225 $150 $80

08/12 - 08/12 Q City 9-Ball Tour Stop The Clubhouse Lynchburg, Virginia 1 Scott Roberts 3 Peter Abatangelo 4 Doug Carter

$500 $150 $125

SE Open 9-Ball Tour Stop

08/17 - 08/20 2017 NAPT Summer 10-Ball Classic

Uncle Waldo's Billiards Daytona Beach, FL 1 Tommy Kennedy 2 Justin Jacobs 3 Brad Shearer 4 Nick Applebee 5 David Grossman 5 Gary Gilsinan 7 Daniel Waskom 7 Michael Delawder 9 David Jacobs 9 Anthony Meglino 9 Cody Booth 9 Bill Sullivan

Shooters Grayslake, Illinois 1 Karen Corr 2 Eleanor Callado 3 Molly Bontrager 4 Jia Li 5 Brittany Bryant 5 Kia Sidbury 7 Kaylin Wykoff 7 April Larson 9 Jenna Bishoff 9 Denise Belanger 9 Janeen Lee 9 Veronique Menard 13 Briana Miller

08/12 - 08/13

$900 $500 $400 $300 $200 $200 $145 $145 $70 $70 $70 $70

$3,500 $2,500 $2,000 $1,400 $1,000 $1,000 $850 $850 $675 $675 $675 $675 $550

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 55

Monthly Results 13 Bernie Store 13 Cassandra Hernandez 13 Justine Bishop 17 Kelly Jones 17 Teruko Cucculelli 17 Sarah Myers-Mitchell 17 Jenn Keeney 17 Meredith Lynch 17 Krista Walsh 17 Cassie Francois

$550 $550 $550 $375 $375 $375 $375 $375 $375 $375

08/19 - 08/20 Arizona Women's Billiards Tour 2017 Stop 4 Kolby's Corner Pocket Tempe, AZ 1 Heather Cortez 2 Nina Tagley 3 Claudia Justus 4 Donna Taylor 5 Katie Gray 5 Jaye Succo 7 Carmen Osenton 7 Alison Wayland 9 Jamie Goodwin 9 Sandi Wilson 9 Tracie Hamman 9 Veronica Poore

$610 $340 $200 $115 $75 $75 $50 $50 $25 $25 $25 $25

08/19 - 08/19 SE Open 9-Ball Tour Stop Miscue Lounge Fort Myers, FL 1 Tommy Kennedy 2 Stephen Richmond 3 Randy Epperson 4 Keith Lennox 5 Glen Olson 5 Antti Matilla

08/19 - 08/20 Tri State Tour 2017-2018 Amsterdam Billiard Club New York, NY

56 | Billiards Buzz • September 2017

$600 $350 $200 $120 $50 $50

1 Shawn Jackson 2 Sal Neljkovic 3 Abel Rosario 4 Dave Weinstein 5 Suzanna Wong 5 Dave Shlemperis 7 Jaydev Zaveri 7 Craig Rempfer 9 Bob Toomey 9 Ray Lee 9 Dany Recinos 9 Thomas Schreiber

$900 $500 $300 $250 $150 $150 $110 $110 $80 $80 $80 $80

13 Devin Poteet 13 Jeremy Jones

$500 $300 $150 $80 $50 $50 $35 $35

08/26 - 08/27

08/20 - 08/20 SE Open 9-Ball Tour Stop Miscue Lounge Fort Myers, FL 1 Bill Bloom 2 Che Mrvos 3 Antti Matilla 4 Trey Jankowski 5 Chris Hall 5 Willie McBride 7 Eddie Greene 7 Eric Huddleston

08/23 - 08/27 2nd Annual Don Coates Memorial Brass Tap Billiards Raleigh, NC 1 Skyler Woodward 2 Zoren James Aranas 3 Donny Mills 4 Brandon Shuff 5 Billy Thorpe 5 John Morra 7 Johnny Archer 7 Corey Deuel 9 Dennis Hatch 9 Omar Alshasheen 9 Jonathan Pinegar 9 Earl Strickland 13 Michael Delawder 13 Hunter Lombardo

$5,000 $3,500 $2,500 $1,500 $1,000 $1,000 $700 $700 $400 $400 $400 $400 $200 $200

$200 $200

08/26 - 08/27 JPNEWT Tour 2017 Stop 5 Classic Billiards Phoenixville, PA 1 Jia Li 2 Caroline Pao 3 Elaine Wilson 4 Tina Pawloski Malm 5 Tina Marinelli 5 Kathy Friend 7 Kia Sidbury 7 Sharon O'Hanlon

$300 $180 $125 $85 $50 $50 $40 $40

Sunshine State Pro Am Tour 2017 Stop 6 Brewlands Bar & Billiards Lakeland, Fl 1 Justin Hall 2 Bobby Garza 3 Kyle Bova 4 Anthony Meglino 5 Dale Stanley 7 Carrie Vetrono 7 Justin McNulty

$700 $500 $345 $250 $150 $100 $100

08/27 - 08/27 Tri State Tour 2016-2017 Steinway Billiards Astoria, NY 1 Kapriel Delimelkonoglu 2 Ray Lee 3 Alex Osipov 4 Daniel Feliciano 5 Duc Lam 5 Matt Klein 7 Jud Parker 7 Bob Toomey

$700 $470 $290 $175 $120 $120 $80 $80

MIND OF STEEL MENTAL TOUGHNESS FOR POOL SUCCESS

Dr. Chris Stankovich www.DRSTANKOVICH.COM

Billiards Buzz • September 2017 | 57